manure

If you keep livestock, even just one or two, you can play a role in keeping our state’s waters clean. Livestock manure can be great fertilizer, but when it’s exposed to the weather, it also can be a source of water pollution. Water running off manure carries nutrients and bacteria that cause problems when they enter Washington’s waters. Nutrients from manure can promote excessive algae and aquatic plant growth. As the plants decay, they deplete the oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need. Just as manure can pile up quickly, runoff from even small piles of manure can add up to big problems. Many livestock owners may not be aware that manure in their yards and pastures is polluting waters miles away. For more information: WSU Clark County Extension - Small Acreage Program